Lathrop High’s  big gymnasium officially has a name – the Greg Leland Gym.

Leland was honored Saturday with a ceremony befitting a man who has given well over half his life to education and athletics in the Manteca Unified School District,

“I am just so overwhelmed right now,” Leland said. “I am just trying to live in the moment. There are so many people here today I haven’t seen in a long time.

“This is just so heartwarming.”

Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Clara Schmiedt presented Leland to the gathering in what his now his namesake gym..

“It is truly an honor to stand before you today to recognize a remarkable educator and leader,” Schmiedt said. “Mr. Greg Leland.’

“Greg’s impact has reached far beyond the walls of a single classroom or school. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has been a man whose impact has touched generations of students, athletes, colleagues, and families.”

Chuck Selna is the Athletic Director at Lathrop High School and filled that role when Leland was principal at Lathrop.

“Today is just the embodiment of who Greg is,” Selna said. “He has spent his life serving others and it is about time he gets recognized for it.”

Ryan Teicheira had a unique perspective on Leland, as he played football at Sierra for Leland and went on to coach football at Lathrop when Leland was principal.

“This is most deserving,” Teicheira said. “(He is the epitome of legends.”.

“Anyone who comes through the doors is going to ask who Greg Leland is. Students, players and faculty will always be able to share stories about how he has impacted their lives.”

When Leland was the first football coach at Sierra, his athletic director was Vern Gebhardt.

“This is an outstanding thing for Greg Leland, of course,” Gebhardt said. “He deserves this gym named after him for his long tenure as principal and he did a great job.”

“He and I spent a lot of time together. He was a tremendous help to Sierra High School when he was over there and he came over here and did so well.”

Leland was presented with proclamations from California Senator Jerry McNerney’s office and San Joaquin County Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal.

Leland closed out the ceremony at the podium.

“Having my name on this gym is an incredible honor,” Leland said. “But the greatest honor has always been the people, the relationships, and the memories we’ve all shared together. Spartan Nation, you will continue to rise, in the classroom, in the community, and in this gym, driven by effort, defined by character, and united by the spirit of Lathrop.”

“Thank you for letting me be part of your story. I am truly humbled and truly grateful for this moment.”